Decipherment of Historical Manuscripts with Unknown or Rare Writings: The DESCRYPT Project

Abstract

We present a newly funded research program, DESCRYPT, aimed at deciphering and analyzing historical texts with rare or unknown scripts. The project leverages advancements in computational linguistics, artificial intelligence (AI), and image processing, alongside traditional philological methods, to develop innovative tools for transcription, recognition, and interpretation of historical writings with rare/unknown scripts, including ciphertexts. By integrating interdisciplinary expertise, DESCRYPT addresses the challenges posed by complex and undeciphered texts, preserving and unlocking the secrets of our shared cultural heritage.